Warbird Information Exchange

I can handle that.....

Both of our simulators have been moved into the hangar for restoration. The one you're thinking of was a Boeing 720 sim that was in pretty rough shape. The static aircraft guys (who've been the proverbial one armed paper hangers lately) are going to give it some much needed TLC. Don't know a timeline for restoration.

There's also a DC-8 sim that was donated from Active Aero that the static A/C folks are going to put some work in on. It was a full motion sim and according to some of the former pilots, the windshear program was enough to give you whiplash. The motion part was scrapped (safety reasons). Once the static guys are done it will be turned over to the Technology group for .....ummm..... "modifications"

I won't get into the plans for the link trainers....

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Phil K.
Yankee Air Museum
Systems Admin / Ramp Crew / Professional Photo Ruiner

Whew! Finally a chance to post and get caught up! After being at the show for a few days, let me tell you the list from the wife was pretty long on things I needed to 'catch' up on! None the less....a few words as I see the topic is still going strong.
Thanks to all the WIXers I met and especially Scott. I know that I'm never really 'alone' at any show, there are always quality people that I know will be there. It is a great way to experience the show with such great people. And a high five to the whole Thunder over Michigan crew, you did a great job and can't wait till next year! This is definitley a must see event for me now.
And while I did come with a camera, I cannot nearly come close to the amazing level that most of you have already presented. My hat's off to you all. Also, there's nothing I can add really that hasn't already been covered, except for a few here, with I think the last one being my best one. I had a blast, thanks everyone!

Brian

Moved to the hangar on the south side.

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Michael Luther
Yankee Air Museum's
Air Show Director
THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN

I have to agree with Airic here.. your show is not only well worth traveling
for, but probably the best couple of warbird shows I've seen in the past
couple years. The whiners will whine no matter what, so just understand
what you can refine but don't stop pulling in the closeness, the variety
and the incredible ac passe's. People should also realize on the N/E end
where the photo pit was, that they can't go any farther out.. when they
do the battle re-enactment and have the strafers, the planes can't pass
over the crowd, and the poor guy's soybean field that gets mangled
shouldn't have to go any deeper since the people like to be up close
where the action is anyway. it really is an ideal setup for the patterns
that the aircraft fly. People still have to understand that its an active
airport operating under restrictions... sure, move a couple tents and or
vendors, but don't mess with the basic ideas and the show...

hh

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"The best way to control the future is to create it".

To Don, as far as the Spitfire not flying with the Hurricanes and the 109,that was my decision. Since the airport was still open, no full waiver, except for the F-16, we were somewhat restricted as to what airspace we could use. I didn't think 4 airplanes would fit together that well. Also at that point, I had less than 2 hours in that Spitfire. There are significant differences from my plane in how the gear lever, the radios etc., are operated and I had enough to deal with this. We were only alotted 20 minutes on Sat and 15 on Sun, and the Spitfires were listed in their segment. I didn't know the area, as we arrived in formation and the controller did not allow me a circle overhead. At a waivered airport where we had a holding area and time to form up it might have worked out. I did, of course, fly cross country with them and that's quite special.. I did not know how scenic Ontario is, and how nice the Hurricane looks airborne in the sunset. Also I preferred to do a Spitfire solo as I can show more and I don't often get to. At Oskosh I'm always following some dreadnaught around single file. In 23 years I've never done a solo there. By phone months before the show the organizers said the Spitfires would fly separate from the Skyraiders, then at the briefing they tried to put us together. I have no interest in flying behind a Skyraider, the wake turbulence is awfull. I don't think the planes are a match either estheticly or historically. Without being too political, I, like 70% of Americans, believe the Vietnam war was wrong, and I don't need to celebrate it. It has nothng to do with any individual's sacrifice or service of which there was much. A friend flew Skyraiders there, he speaks of it reluctantly. I thaought my Sat display was good and hoped to do better on Sun. but it was more confused with more traffic and I know I didn't fly as well. A special highlight for me at the show was meeting Johnnie Johnson's grandson and Eric Billings son. And weren't those reenactors something? Walking through the German camp in the morning actually made me uneasy until I reached the British lines. Bill G

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Mr Greenwood.....

Thank you for an inside view most of us rarely get to appreciate or even understand well.

Truly educating as to why some display should not happed.

Thank you again for sharing.

Well I see this board is no different than any other board. You post your opinion on the show, and if others don't like it you are labled as a WHINER or a COMPLANER?? WTF ?? The way the show was setup with the vendors taking show line was just not a good idea. You forced too many people into a small fenceline which will always cause problems. I for one brought my kids to see the show ( a great history lesson in the re-enactment which no school could teach ) and all they learned was how to say the F BOMB from all the dinks with big lens DSLR's trying to get the good shots that were too cheap to get photo pit passes.
Maybe for you guys this is ok but I don't need my kids hearing that crap.

Dave

There is a big difference between “whining” and “constructive criticisms”. A lot of it has to do with how you choose to word your (not you but the persons in question) posts what you feel is wrong. There are several people here how gave some insight and advice on how the show could be improved with out going on and on about how these planes did not show up, did not fly enough or I ordered a coke and they gave me a Pepsi…


I really can’t believe how many complaints I’m hearing about the show with out at least a tiny bit about how great it was also. Come on, 3 Hurricanes, 2 Spitfires, Bf-109, 2 B-17s P-38J, AD-5 A-4, a number of P-51s. That is a great show to me; let’s help refine this show and layout without kicking the people who worked SO HARD in the Balls. It might not be happening here as much as other MB but I’m a bit stunned number of complaints.

THANK YOU YAF! GREAT JOB AND MAY NEXT YEAR BE BETTER!

Tim

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www.tailhookstudio.com

Thank you sir for taking the time to expain this to us. Just having the contols work differently is reason enough.

I hope it wasn't seen as me complaining, I wasn't. To hear the sound of a Spit, a Hurri, a DB601 is a truly magaical and rare occurance.

I came with my 8 year old son and we had a good time. I understand your reluctance at flying behind the Skyraider, he's based at my home field!

I hope to see you in your Spit soon. It's one of my favorites.

don
www.fairchild24.com

I’m with you Tim. The crew at YAM worked very hard to put this show on. None of them got paid and I bet very little sleep for about a week. Bill’s comments are great and I hope they make some people realize and appreciate what they did see and not what they did not see. I for one am truly grateful for what I get to see in the air and on the ground and never take it for granted.

As for the layout of the show I think the crew at YAM have got the point over and over and over again. If I was them I would probably not even feel like organizing another show next year after the beating they have taken here and on FC.

Eric

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The air resounds from the Rolls-Royce roar!
To an enemy the warning is dire: here only eagles soar,
and the last thing he'll see is a mirrored Spitfire!

Although I did not attend this show, I wish I would have went as I have never seen a Spitfire, Hurricane etc. And have several examples of each present is spectacular. I would have to agree with AIRIC as shows of this magnatude are a HUGE undertaking.

For example my hometown air show was 1/4 of the size of TOM and it took 13 months and 16 hour days to put the show together. Add in the fact that YAM is full fledge museum they have a lot of work to do. PCHA was its own endeavour while a few of the board members were part of the Indiana Aviation Museum it was on its own.

Yes, we were very spoiled last year when all eight scheduled B-17's arrived but things could have been worse and only two or three B-17's could have arrived in 2005. Would we be whining last year if that happened? A "warbird" show is pure luck of the draw when it comes to weather, maintenance and pilot availability. Unfortunately these factors came into play this year, at least maintenance and pilot availability did.

Any show that is able to gather this many warbirds at one site other than AirVenture and Sun'n fun should be congratulated for there efforts, than be barked at about seating issues.

So there are my 2 cents.

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

I have to agree with Tim. It's alot of work trying to put on a airshow.. People take for granted the smallest things. My hats off to anyone who does all the leg work so others can just come and enjoy!!!!

To Don, I don't know Eric the Skyraider owner well, but he seems like a nice guy. His partner, might be Sandy?, loaned Leon our Harvard pilot his cell phone to file our return trip customs plan, when Canadian based phones didn't work. I'm told Skyraiders are pretty agile despite their bulk. A former FAC in Vietnam told me they'd call in a jet if they wanted to scare the enemy, but an AD if they wanted to hit anything.I had a friend who was very fastidious until he owned an AD for a couple of weeks, and then had to revise his standards of cleanliness! If you travel with 3 fighters you surely need a Harvard to haul tools, engineer, luggage etc. Thanks Leon and Ed Russell. Bill G

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

To the folks at YAF, htis year was the best airshow I've ever been to, HANDS DOWN!! The aircraft turnout was incredible, seeing 2 Hurricanes chase the 109 was the coolest thing I've ever seen at an airshow. I didn't find any of the "problems" people have been mentioning. Except for a slight disagreement I had with one of the CAP brats (dont get me started) my sixth trip to Thunder was a perfect experience. Keep up the great work!

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Matt

Wow, just read some of the stuff that's being said on Fence Check. Don't let the 2 or 3 jerks over there influence how the show is run. I personally can't believe some the b.s. they've come out with. I'm sure that the people like me who just enjoy seeing the great collection of aircraft that is there (instead of whining about the "no shows" and as a result not enjoying themselves) will continue to attend Thunder every year. GREAT SHOW!!

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Matt